The Royal Star & Garter Homes

Posted on Wednesday 25th July 2012

Caring for the nation's military family since 1916
For almost 100 years The Royal Star and Garter Homes has been caring for disabled ex-Service people. Our philosophy has always remained the same; to provide outstanding care to enable all our residents to enjoy life to the full.
Established in 1916 to care for severely disabled young men returning from the battlegrounds of the First World War, we have evolved to provide brilliant care to the whole military family in our friendly, modern and comfortable homes. All elderly and disabled ex-Service men and women, along with their partners, can benefit from our pioneering approach to nursing and therapeutic care.
As well as all the amenities one would expect from a 21st century care home with high quality nursing care, The Royal Star and Garter Homes uniquely incorporate strong military links, history and tradition. We provide outstanding occupational, speech and language therapy, as well as physiotherapy. In our Solihull Home, we’ve incorporated a specialist dementia care wing designed using the latest research and guidance available to promote choice, safety and peace of mind.
We also offer an unsurpassed range of activities, outings and leisure pursuits for our residents to enjoy including; concerts and film shows; choir, music and other clubs; facilities for arts and crafts, baking and horticulture; computers with internet access; and group games and quizzes. There are regular multi-denominational religious services, and many outings including shopping trips, visits to local attractions, military events, the theatre and sporting events – all in our specially-adapted luxury coaches. Residents have their own bar and cafe where they can socialise with fellow residents, or entertain friends or family. At all times residents’ ideas and suggestions are sought and encouraged.

Recently The Royal Star and Garter Homes launched Life Letters, a project that will mark our 100-year anniversary by celebrating those within the Military family who have truly lived life to the full. We want to collect stories of extraordinary lives, captured in a letter. Why a letter? Because letters are by their very nature a personal reflection and continue to be as important today to the military family as they were over 100 years ago – symbols of love, hope and true connection.
A Life Letter may weave a tale of love and friendship, passion and pride, jobs and service, hobbies and interests, life’s lucky breaks and challenges. It might be one special moment in time, or it might sum up a lifetime of memories. Do you have a story to share? Or perhaps you know someone who made a difference to your community and you would like their story to be known? Over the next three years we will continue to collect and share these stories before publishing a book. For more information on how to enter and to read some of the letters we've already received, go to www.starandgarter.org/lifeletters.
For more info on Life Letters, or to read letters like the one above, visit www.starandgarter.org.

Please send your letter by post or email and include the following information: your name, address and postcode. Please also note ‘Warfare Magazine’ on your entry.
By post: FREEPOST RLUX-CSXB-KZGG, Life Letters, The Royal Star and Garter Homes, Richmond Hill, Richmond, TW10 6RR.
By email: lifeletters@starandgarter.org
You can also contact The Royal Star and Garter Homes by Twitter: @starandgarter and Facebook: facebook.com/starandgarter
Registered charity no: 210119
Mike Barter, The Royal Star